Opinion
I once asked my grandson if he had an opinion on something. He was about 9 at the time. He asked, “What is an opinion?” I gave my best answer and forgot about the discussion until recently.
“What is an opinion?” is a question we rarely ask ourselves because we have it confused with truth.
Notice how we tend to spout opinions as though they are facts. Watch or listen to any current events TV or radio talk show, or eavesdrop on any supermarket deli conversation and you will find opinion draped in its flowing costume pretending to be fact.
We all do it.
Here’s the rub. Opinion is opinion and fact is fact and rarely do they ever meet.
Opinions are assumptions. The good news is many assumptions that can’t be proved lead to facts. Columbus’ voyage comes to mind.
The downside is many assumptions leave out many of the facts. It’s what is known as “Selective Perception.” Reminds me of a story I’ve told before . . .
Dr. Dave Dobson was telling us about his purchase of a new Volvo. The day he drove his new car off the lot, he noticed many of the same cars coming in his direction in the opposite lane. He said, “That damn salesman paid people to drive Volvos in my direction so I would feel good about purchasing this car.” It was his way of teaching us Selective Perception.
Jerry Stocking in his sales course talks about how most salespeople misuse equations when they claim that X=Y. “This is the best pen ever made.” This pen – “X” = Best pen ever made – “Y.” That’s an opinion represented as a fact.
Take the same equation and put it into a relationship. “You are insensitive to my needs.” You – “X” = Insensitive to my needs – “Y.” His recommendation is to make X=X. In this case “you” = “you” and “insensitive” = “insensitive.” The minute you have one equaling the other, you’re in for an opposing opinion smackdown.
Jerry offers that people would be better served talking about their feelings about something rather than labeling it as fact. “When you do (fill in the blank), I feel like you don’t love me.” That’s an unvarnished opinion not pretending to be anything else.
We are all entitled to our opinions. The question not often asked is, “How well are they serving me?”
Chances are your opinions get in the way more often than not due to mislabeling them as fact.
It’s my opinion that we would all be better off by taking stock of our opinions and see how often we have them in costume masquerading as facts.
Find out how many of your X=Y equations can’t be proved. Take the home study course today and factually find out how opinionated you are.
All the best,
John
http://cdbaby.com/cd/johnmorgan
http://www.cafepress.com/grasshoppernote/3580301
P.S. If you haven’t emailed the following link to all your Irish friends yet, I request you do so today.
http://www.cafepress.com/grasshoppernote/6714424
They will thank you for turning them on to all the fun items they’ll find at the SAVE THE IRISH Shop. (Opinion)
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